In this article, we detail and explain the differences between these two official documents, the steps to take if they are no longer valid, and the processing times.
If you travel within the European Union (EU), the identity card completely replaces the passport. That’s a huge advantage we have with the EU. However, it’s important not to confuse the European Union with Europe! In fact, for European countries that are not part of the EU (such as Turkey or the UK, now that Brexit has occurred), you will still need to have your passport.
If your identity card is valid and up-to-date, you don’t need to do anything. Just make sure to take it with you on your trip.
However, if it has expired or will expire before the end of your trip, it's better to renew it.
In this case, you don’t have many options: you must first complete an online pre-application on the ANTS website, then schedule an appointment at a town hall (of your choice, not necessarily the one in your place of birth or residence).
For this process, you will need the following supporting documents:
And if you have any doubts about your situation or the required documents, you can visit the Services Public website here.
The passport is essential for traveling to a country outside the European Union.
If you already have a valid and up-to-date passport, just like with the ID card, you don’t need to do anything except remember to take it with you before you leave for your trip.
If, on the other hand, your passport is expired or will expire before the end of your trip, you'll need to renew it. And, like with the ID card, you can submit your passport application at any town hall of your choice.
For your passport application, you will need the following supporting documents:
For more information about your situation or the required documents, you can visit the Public Services website here.
Be aware that in Paris or other major cities, it’s not uncommon to wait more than one or two months for an appointment at the town hall for the issuance of a new identity card or passport, especially as the holidays approach. This waiting period is in addition to the processing time for the application and the time required to manufacture the identity card before it can be issued (at the same town hall where you submitted your application).
To give you an idea, when going to New Zealand, Simon didn't have a passport and therefore had to get one made. Even by starting in May (2018), he wasn’t able to get a quick appointment at the town hall in Toulouse. He therefore contacted all the town halls in nearby cities and villages and managed to find an appointment for the following month, in June. From there, he made his request and received his passport on July 17th.
Finally, it’s important to note that it is the applicant’s responsibility to collect their official document in person from the town hall where the application was made.
Unfortunately, you cannot authorize someone else to pick it up for you, as these are biometric documents that require your fingerprints. Therefore, you should allocate time to collect your ID card or passport within three months from the date the documents are received by the town hall (otherwise, the document will be destroyed).
1. To avoid a long wait for an appointment at the town hall, try opting for smaller towns or villages, which are less busy and often have more available slots for appointments. This can help you gain a few days or even a few months on your ID card or passport application.
Getting started as early as possible and well ahead of the summer vacation period is also a good tip to avoid the rush.
2. We also recommend always taking your ID card when you travel, regardless of your destination. You never know what documents might be requested during your trip, and you might end up changing your itinerary at the last minute. As the saying goes, "better safe than sorry."
The advantage is that an ID card doesn't take up much space. So, it’s no trouble to bring it along before you leave.
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